SOC 21-1018 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI · 10 metro areas compared
In Kalamazoo, MI the median wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors is $66,750 a year, which is 12.5% higher than the national figure of $59,350.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Kalamazoo, MI the median wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors is $66,750 a year, which is 12.5% higher than the national figure of $59,350. Half of workers earn between $50,520 and $76,200. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $38,260 and the ninetieth at $88,300.
The area has 370 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.95 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Midland leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $73,450. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 104th of 346 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,260 | −35.5% |
| 25th | $50,520 | −14.9% |
| Median (50th) | $66,750 | +12.5% |
| 75th | $76,200 | +28.4% |
| 90th | $88,300 | +48.8% |
| Mean | $65,160 | +9.8% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Midland | $73,450 | 130 | |
| 2 | Niles | $73,200 | 80 | |
| 3 | Muskegon | $69,090 | 170 | |
| 4 | Battle Creek | $68,370 | 140 | |
| 5 | Lansing | $67,510 | 790 | |
| 6 | Ann Arbor | $65,440 | 320 | |
| 7 | Grand Rapids | $64,100 | 1,130 | |
| 8 | Traverse City | $61,990 | 130 | |
| 9 | Detroit | $60,890 | 4,290 | |
| 10 | Monroe | $60,170 | 110 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Kalamazoo run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $66,750 goes as far as $69,387 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 16.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$66,750as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$69,387US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $66,750 a year, 12.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,260 to $88,300 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 370 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Midland, at $73,450.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Kalamazoo, MI?
The median annual wage is $66,750, or $32.09 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $59,350, so pay in Kalamazoo, MI is 12.5% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Kalamazoo, MI earns more than $88,300 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,260 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Midland, at $73,450 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 370 jobs in this occupation in Kalamazoo, MI. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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